At the London Assembly's first ever online People's Question Time, Caroline discussed how to ensure London has world-class transport infrastructure.
We desperately need investment, particularly in our public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure. The Mayor of London must also finally cancel the £2bn polluting Silvertown Road Tunnel project under the Thames.
Caroline Pidgeon has written to the Secretary of State for Transport asking for him to consider including the Southeastern route between Stratford International and St Pancras in the Travelcard Zoning System.
This would open up new travel routes to many in East London and reduce overcrowding, both now and as we recover from COVID-19.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the news of a new funding deal between the Government and TfL, said:
“I am relieved that the foolish and damaging proposals to strip away free transport for under 18 year olds have finally been dropped.
“Young people are suffering enough and these proposals should never have even been considered. I congratulate everyone, and especially young people, who have fought so hard for these proposals to be dropped.
After questioning the true financial cost of the Silvertown Road Tunnel, Caroline quizzed the Mayor on the environmental cost at October's Question Time.
The claim that it will not make air quality or congestion worse is very hard to believe - and the Mayor refused to commit to monitoring all harmful pollutants from the tunnel.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, responding to the announcement by TfL Commissioner Andy Byford that Thameslink stations will be added to the Tube map by Christmas, said:
“This is an incredibly welcome decision and it is a change that I have long advocated.
“The TfL Commissioner is absolutely right to say the change is a no-brainer. A service which offers a Tube service in so many respects should of course be on the Tube map.
Caroline Pidgeon welcomed the prospect of the Thameslink route appearing on the tube map, to remind central London travellers that it's a convenient and less crowded option.
Caroline told the London SE1 website:
"I very much welcome what looks like the Mayor and TfL backing down on this issue.
"There are short and long term arguments for putting Thameslink back on the tube map.
Caroline Pidgeon has criticised Transport for London's move to end cash payments across all Tube stations, without a genuine consultation process.
Caroline told the Evening Standard:
“I remain concerned that TfL is still planning to end cash payments across all of its Tube stations.
“The potential of increased fare evasion appears to have not been considered or the difficulties of people being forced to quickly top up their Oyster cards while on the move.
After being alerted by concerned Tube staff to a plan to make all stations cashless, Caroline Pidgeon has criticised TfL's attempts to do this by stealth during a pandemic, and described the negative impact it would have:
Caroline told the Evening Standard:
“The move to solely cashless ticket machines at London Underground stations must not happen by stealth.
Speaking in the London Assembly about the continued closure of Hammersmith Bridge, with no clear plan to fund its repair, Caroline Pidgeon called on the government to engage and provide financial support to get the bridge into use again.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the news of further delays to the opening of Crossrail, said:
“Covid might partly explain these latest delays, but they are only part of the picture as even Crossrail admits.
“The consequences of Crossrail opening two and half years late are immense. The project has soared in cost and every day it is not open valuable fare income is being lost to TfL and this vital new railway is not open to Londoners.
